Gender-based violence against women with disabilities: Prevalence and experience

This study aims to investigate the prevalence and experiences of gender-based violence against women with disabilities in Chinese communities. A mixed-method study is applied by conducting a questionnaire survey with 80 women with disabilities to draw an overview of prevalence and nature of violence, survivors’ coping strategies, and challenges in seeking help, as well as three in-depth interviews to outline the experience of partner violence against disabled women. According to the results of the survey, 30% of the respondents reported having experienced domestic violence, 34% have experienced sexual harassment, and four respondents indicated that they experienced sexual violence. A total of 66% of the respondents who experienced domestic violence reported that they did not seek help and 85% of the respondents who experienced sexual harassment did not seek help. For those who experienced sexual violence, none of them sought help. Findings from interviews echo the results from the questionnaire survey. Interviewees further shared their experience in terminating partner violence. Recommendations for policymakers and service providers are provided.